WARNING: The following contains spoilers for The Mandalorian Chapter 8, "Redemption," streaming now on Disney+.
The Season 1 finale of The Mandalorian is packed with thrilling action scenes, smart dialogue and a genre-savvy villain. However, it also serves as a tearful farewell to some beloved recurring characters who aided Pedro Pascal's bounty hunter across the eight episodes. These characters did not go gently into a good night, however.
While Season 2 will certainly bring new and intriguing characters, it's important to honor the fallen. This is the Way.
Kuiil
Voiced by Nick Nolte, the Ugnaught Kuiil was an accomplished artisan who had lived his life as a slave to the Empire, and eventually earned his freedom. Mando met Kuiil in the series premiere, on Arvala-7, where the bounty hunter had traveled to retrieve the Child. Kuiil was a grumpy, independent Ugnaught who helped Mando in his mission, assisted him with Jawa negotiations and repaired his ship, the Razor Crest.
After the Mandalorian left Arvala-7, Kuiil scavenged the assassin droid IG-11 (voiced by Taika Waititi), shot through the head by Mando, and reprogrammed him as a nurse. A straight-talking Ugnaught of few words ("I have spoken"), Kuiil always had the well-being of Mando and the Child in mind
Kuiil died in Nevarro at the end of Chapter 7, shot down by two scout troopers, as he tried to hurry the Child to the safety of the Razor Crest. Fans held out hope for his survival, until his death was confirmed at the end of the season finale, when the camera lingered on the Ugnaught's grave.
The Mandalorian Covert
Unknown to Nevarro's inhabitants, an entire Mandalorian enclave had taken refuge in the sewer system of the city. They were fierce warriors who shared the same Creed, formed by the three pillars of battle, armor and the protection of the young, be they their own or foundlings. The Mandalorian himself had been taken in after his parents were killed by Imperial forces, and trained in the Way from childhood.
Led by the Armorer (Emily Swallow), a sort of smith-priestess, the Nevarro covert had lived in secrecy, with only one member surfacing at a time to hid their true numbers. That is, until Chapter 3, the members rallied to the aid of Mando, battling bounty hunters and covering his escape with the Child.
However, as we learn in the finale, the legendary combat skills of the Mandalorians weren't enough to withstand the might of Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) and his remnant Imperial forces. When Mando and his friends descend into the sewers in search of an escape route, they find a pile of discarded helmets and armor, and the Armorer shifting carefully through them, trying reforge what she can. Those members of the enclave who weren't killed were scattered once again, and only the Armorer remained, to continue her work and to take out a squadron of Stormtroopers with only her pincers and hammer.
IG-11
Mando created an uneasy alliance with IG-11, the assassin droid turned bounty hunter, in the series premiere to defeat the mercenaries holding the coveted Asset. However, when their target was revealed to be Baby Yoda, IG-11 indicated his task was to terminate the child, which led Mando to shoot the droid through the head.
We later learned Kuiil recovered IG-11, repaired the droid and reprogrammed him as a nurse and caretaker. IG-11 performed his duties admirably, and proved himself truly redeemed, not only by protecting the Child but also coming to the rescue of Mando, Cara Dune (Giana Carano) and Greef Karga (Carl Weather) when they were horribly outnumbered, and saving the life of the wounded bounty hunter.
But IG-11 made the ultimate sacrifice by initiating his self-destruct mode to take out a squadron of Stormtroopers, ensuring the escape of the Mandalorian and the droid's charge, the Child.
Created by Jon Favreau, The Mandalorian stars Pedro Pascal, Gina Carano, Carl Weathers, Giancarlo Esposito, and Emily Swallow. Season 1 is available now on Disney+. Season 2 arrives in fall 2020.